by Je Tsongkapa Lobsang Drakpa
(1357-1419)

1-The source of all my good is my kind Lama, my Lord; bless me first to see that taking myself to him in the proper way is the very root of the path, and grant me then to serve and follow him with all my strength and reverence.

2-Bless me first to realize that the excellent life of leisure I’ve found just this once is ever so hard to find and ever so valuable; grant me then to wish, and never stop to wish, that I could take its essence night and day.

3-My body and the life in it are fleeting as the bubbles in the sea froth of a wave.  Bless me first thus to recall the death that will destroy me soon; and help me find sure knowledge that after I have died the things I’ve done, the white or black, and what these deeds will bring to me, follow always close behind, as certain as my shadow.

4-Grant me then ever to be careful, to stop the slightest wrongs of many wrongs we do, and try to carry out instead each and every good of the many that we may.

5-Bless me to perceive all that’s wrong with the seemingly good things of this life.  I can never get enough of them.  They cannot be trusted.  They are the door to every pain I have.  Grant me then to strive instead for the happiness of freedom.

6-Grant that these pure thoughts may lead me to be watchful and to recall what I should be doing, grant me to give the greatest care to make the vows of morality the essence of my practice; they are the root of the Buddha’s teaching.

7-I have slipped and fallen into the sea of this suffering life; bless me to see that every living being, every one my own mother, has fallen in too.  Grant me then to practice this highest wish for enlightenment, to take on myself the task of freeing them all.

8-Bless me to see clearly that the Wish itself is not enough, for if I’m not well trained in the three moralities, I cannot become a Buddha.  Grant me then a fierce resolve to master the vows for children of the Victors.

9-Grant that I may quickly gain the path where quietude and insight join together; one which quiets my mind from being distracted to wrong objects, the other which analyzes the perfect meaning in the correct way.

10-Grant that once I’ve practiced well the paths shared and become a vessel that is worthy, I enter with perfect ease the Way of the Diamond, highest of all ways, holiest door to come inside for the fortunate and the good.

11-Bless me to know with genuine certainty that when I’ve entered thus, the cause that gives me both the attainments is keeping my pledges and vows most pure.  Grant me then to always keep them even if it cost me my life.

12-Bless me next to realize precisely the crucial points of both the stages, the essence of the secret ways.  Grant me then to practice as the Holy One has spoken, putting all my effort in and never leaving off the Practice of the Four Times, highest that there is.

13-Bless me, grant me that the spiritual Guide who shows me this good road, and all my true companions in this quest live long and fruitful lives.  Bless and grant me that the rain of obstacles, things within me or outside me that could stop me now, stop and end forever.

14-In all my lives may I never live apart from my perfect Lamas, may I bask in the glory of the Dharma.  May I fulfill perfectly every good quality of every level and path, and reach then quickly the place where I become myself the Keeper of the Diamond.

Translation from the Tibetan is by Khen Geshe Lobsang Tharchin (1921-) and Geshe Michael Roach (1952-) and included in PREPARING FOR TANTRA: The Mountain of Blessings. Original source also includes commentary on the root text by Pabongka Rinpoche (1878-1941) from Opening Your Eyes to What You Should Keep, and What You Should Give Up .

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Page last updated on May 17, 2008 .